The 2013 drought season is off to a worse start than in 2012 or 2011 — a trend that scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say is a good indicator, based on historical records, that the entire year will be drier than last year, even if spring and summer rainfall and temperatures remain the same.

If rainfall decreases and temperatures rise, as climatologists are predicting will happen this year, the drought could be even more severe.

The federal researchers say there is less than a 20 percent chance the drought will end in the next six months, according to to the Inside Climate report.